Wasting Time

My carpool buddy Joel is an INTP personality type, same as me.  We talk a lot -- really a lot compared to "normal" people -- about various theoretical things that come into our heads either from external sources or just our own thoughts.

Joel read something recently about the class structure in the United States.  The theory is very controversial, but the gist of it is this:  Some people use any money they get right away for something they want now and similarly use the time they have available to do something that gives them pleasure right now; other people save their money for something they want later and spend their time doing things that will pay benefits later.  According to this article, these traits separate the classes.  The first group is lower class, and the second is the upper class.

Now I should point out that I'm not sure if all that is a very accurate portrayal of the article or even of what Joel told me, because I have not read the article myself but am rather going by my memory of a conversation about it.  But that doesn't matter.  What matters is that I think it's interesting.

And looking at myself, I would say that I belong half in the first category, and half in the second.  I am naturally inclined to save money, and I have set aside a fair amount for what I hope will be a slightly early retirement.  I always had enough money to live on when I was single, with some left over.  However, I tend to spend my time unwisely, doing fun or time-wasting things first and postponing less enjoyable activities as long as possible.

This approach leads to a host of problems:  bad grades in school, bills paid late, things around the house not done, inefficiency at work.  It is also directly related to why I have trouble losing weight and exercising.  Instant gratification is the key element; for example, exercise and dieting will lead to desired results down the road, but right now they are not much fun.  But I really think that I could do better in my life if I treated my time more like I treat my money.

Of course, the truth is that it's all about instant gratification.  I feel good about having money the moment it's in the bank; I don't have to wait until I spend it on a vacation.  So maybe the trick is to find a way to feel just as good right away about eating better, exercising, or doing things around the house.

To help me with this quest I have Jackie, whom I would judge to be my opposite both in terms of time and money.  She clearly doesn't get the pleasure that I do from saving money -- really doesn't even understand why I do -- but she likes to spend time productively up front so that she can relax later.  I have shared my thoughts about my own tendencies with her, and she tries to help.

So this weekend I made some small strides, mainly working on Boy Scout treasury stuff yesterday and this morning so that I don't have to do it all tonight.  This is a change from my usual ways.  Now, I think I will go use the treadmill.  Eating has not gone so well, but then I have never been one for dramatic changes.  Baby steps.